230 of the
4,633 complaints filed about the Acura MDX
are about the airbag system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
The driver's seat wiring harness on my daughter's 2007 Acura MDX has failed under normal operating conditions. The physical adjustment and movement of the driver's seat causes the factory wiring harness to over-tension and fracture internally. This has resulted in an intermittent, escalating failure of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), throwing diagnostic trouble code DTC 71-11 ("open circuit in the driver's seat position sensor"). This is a known manufacturer engineering defect documented under Acura Technical Service Bulletin TSB 11-023. This defect poses an immediate safety hazard because the vehicle's computer automatically disables the driver's side airbag safety deployment when the circuit loses connection. The manufacturer is currently refusing to cover the repair due to the age of the vehicle, despite it being a critical safety-restraint system failure that leaves the driver unprotected in a collision. (The exact date of first onset is estimated, as this safety defect is an ongoing, intermittent electrical failure that began several months ago but only recently became more frequent. We also were originally unaware that the airbag warning light coming on meant the airbags were disabled, or we would have brought the car in sooner.)
NHTSA complaint #11741869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud banging sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the sunroof had unexpectedly shattered. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, a supplemental restraint system warning message intermittently displayed, advising the contact to contact the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was also contacted regarding the shattered sunroof; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,112.
NHTSA complaint #11738118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iam having numerous problems with the start stop function of my 2022 MDX. See attached letter and documentation for full details. I also attached the documentation from my dealership for the repair order history. There have been numerous of times that this problem occurred that I didn't bring it in for service. The dealership acknowledges that there is a problem, but they are unable to correct. They also have told me that they know of this problem with the Acura MDX, but there is still no recall.
NHTSA complaint #11734615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at 25 miles an hour on a smooth curving road out of a housing area my wife who was driving and my grand daughter in the front passenger seat heard a loud boom that sounded like somthing hit the roof. My grand daughter looked into the back passenger area and said she saw a large buldge in the headliner near the back window on the drivers side. My wife continued driving saftly to the nearest parking lot and parked the vehicle, she got out and inspected the roof and found no dammage of any kind. she opened the back window tail gate and saw a large fist size buldge in the headliner near the open area on the drivers side. She had no idea what happened. There were no waring lights or indicators that indicated a problem and she drove home and showed it to me. When I saw it I thought it was a rear window or curtian air bag that tried to deploy but did not break through the headlinner. I have called the dealer and scheduled an appointment to check it out on thur March 26 at 09:00 2026. I verified that there are no indicators or warning lights that indicate a problem. The service department said it should be safe to drive until then.
NHTSA complaint #11725634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 11.25.25, my MDX was involved in a multi-car hit and run on highway 101 SB at the Laurel Drive off ramp. The vehicle sustained two points of impact: (1) substantial front/driver side impact (2) rear-passenger side impact. Despite the severity, location of impact and speed of travel at the time of the collision, all airbags deployed except for the driver side curtain airbag. Importantly, at the time of the crash, the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and associated AcuraWatch driver assist systems were activated. The vehicle’s safety assistance technology was engaged and functioning immediately prior to impact. Considering the above mentioned facts, driver side airbag failing to deploy, raises serious concerns regarding Possible software or signal-processing malfunction or electronic communication between radar/camera systems and the SRS module. The nature and severity of the impact clearly met deployment criteria for the driver side airbag. This failure raises concern that there may be a defect in the SRS system, including but not limited to: Airbag inflator component or propellant issue. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) crash sensor calibration. SRS control module deployment logic. Crash signal sensors. Event-trigger logic or interconnnect failure. Wiring harness or inflator defect. Whether the system registered steering correction or impact prediction, the failure to deploy increased my risk and resulting injury, as well as compromised the fundamental safety system designed to protect drivers in front-impact crashes.
NHTSA complaint #11725140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes became stuck or jammed. Later, while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the contact again depressed the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to respond, remained stuck, and failed to stop the vehicle in an intersection, causing the contact to steer to the right and resulting in a crash with a government dump truck. The driver’s child informed the contact’s husband that the brakes were not working. No warning lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number 25V391000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The driver's iPhone detected the crash and automatically contacted the emergency contact and the state police. The driver sustained injuries to the knee, head, neck, and back and was transported to the hospital for medical assistance. There was no airbag deployment, fire, or police report filed; however, a police officer and the state police were present at the scene and moved the vehicle before photos could be taken. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later to an auto body shop. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there were no recalls applicable to the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11717083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's daughter owned a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 70 MPH on an interstate, another driver crashed into the rear passenger's side and the front passenger's side of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to spin clockwise. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver hit her shoulder and lower back against the driver's side door. The driver later received medical assistance and was being treated for lower back and shoulder injuries. No police report was filed. The rear tires were damaged and became flat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was later towed to the dealer's auto body shop, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 92,900.
NHTSA complaint #11681791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
(1) My airbag's did not deploy when an another car drove into the front of my car causing extensive damage. It has been deemed a total loss by Liberty Mutual (claim #[XXX]) and will be towed in a day or two to their salvage yard from the auto body shop. (2) Based on what I was told by the claim adjuster, body shop and police they didn't understand why they didn't deploy, especially since one of the air bag sensors was directly in front of the impact. (3) No - Acura has not been easy to communicate with and assigned me a case #[XXX] but after I answered their questions by email a few days ago they have stopped communicating with me. (4) The car has been inspected by the body shop and Liberty Mutual. (5) No INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11662340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Acura has failed to repair my vehicle with a known recall for a year. I am told they're prioritizing symptomatic vehicles and have no ETA on all others. Why have a recall of a safety feature and not actually handle the recall timely. I prefer not to wait for an injury or incident before this is given the proper attention.
NHTSA complaint #11639906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Jan 21, 2025 the drivers side air bag deployed as I was driving. I did not hit or get hit by anyone or anything, I did not run over anything either the airbag deployed on drivers side from the front to the back of my Acura MDX it was sudden it was random Nd damn scary. I was injured from the impact of the air bag ... I have had my car approximately 6 months I am purchasing from Drive now in Wichita, KS and am still making payments on this vehicle..
NHTSA complaint #11639624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warning message appeared 1/17/25. Inspected by Price Acura service department 1/20/25. Checked online recall for airbags. Multiple airbag recalls are mentioned for Acura, including my make and model. This vehicle has approximately 92,000 miles and I am the original owner. Would like to know if this $1800 charge would be covered under recalls already listed as this is apparently a problem existing in many other similar vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11637389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11634684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbag light has been lit for a while now for my 2004 Acura MDX. I originally took the car to Courtesy Acura for them to check what causing it. They told me that the sensor should be replaced and I paid $260+. After replacing sensor, the Airbag light still lit. They told me that they need to replace the front seatbelt buckles. One buckle (PART NO: 04813-S3V-A62ZC) arrived but the other one has been backordered for a while now (almost a year) and there's no ETA from American Honda on when the part (PART NO: 04816-S3V-A61ZC) will be available. This is a safety issue since the Airbag will not deploy in case of accident. Hope you guys can help me expedite the process and escalate the issue with American Honda. Thank you soo much!
NHTSA complaint #11634387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbags: I was driving on interstate five when traffic had come to a slow stop. The vehicle far behind me not paying attention and hit me going at a very fast speed that forced my car into a box truck in front of me. My car was found to be a total loss. Zero airbags were deployed with either impact. The hood completely crunched and dash broke open inside vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11633527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that at an idle stop, he allowed another vehicle to complete a turn. As the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to make a left turn, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop which caused the vehicle to be rear ended by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to drive away from the scene of the accident. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The contact's vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but had yet to be serviced. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 98,031.
NHTSA complaint #11629655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11622688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11614179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds on the two occasions, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a software update for the side air bag sensors was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.
NHTSA complaint #11600805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11592573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds through a parking area, his foot slipped and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, coming to a complete stop after crashing into an 8-inch barrier. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the driver's side seat belt needed to be replaced following the crash but informed the contact that Part Number: 04818-TZ5-A00ZC was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. A case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11578057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.